JAMES COLLINS HAS set his sights on a return to the Republic of Ireland squad as he prepares for his debut in the Championship.
Collins previously had a spell with Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership, but the striker has never played above League One in England.
However, that’s now set to change after his 25-goal contribution helped Luton Town to achieve promotion by winning the League One title last season.
He’ll have an ideal opportunity to stake a claim for an international recall when the Hatters kick off their Championship campaign tomorrow night.
Their opponents, Middlesbrough, will have Ireland assistant coach Robbie Keane in their dugout, after he was appointed to new manager Jonathan Woodgate’s coaching staff during the summer.
Collins, who has yet to win a senior cap, received his first Ireland call-up for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia in March.
The 28-year-old was then omitted from Mick McCarthy’s squad for the games against Denmark and Gibraltar in June. That allowed Collins to recover from a long club season, during which he played 48 games, but he’s now desperate to return to the fold.
“It wasn’t nice not making the final squad, but I respect the decision and Ireland went away and did really well,” he told Luton Today ahead of tomorrow’s visit to the Riverside Stadium.
“It was nice to have a break and spend a bit of time with my family and maybe that was the rest that I needed. My plan is to get in the side, do well for Luton and try and get myself back in that Ireland squad now.”
Ireland will resume their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against Switzerland at the Aviva Stadium on 5 September. A friendly against Bulgaria will take place at the Dublin venue five days later.
The Boys in Green are currently five points clear of Denmark — who have a game in hand — at the top of Group D in European Championship qualifying. Switzerland — who have played two games fewer than Ireland — are six points adrift.
Mcdaids performance should be lauded the same way as Clifford’s and Walsh’s. Actually think mcdaid should get player of the year.
@Barry Newell: Mcdaid was unbelievable yesterday, MOTM for me.
@Barry Newell: Yes indeed, I’ve watched McDaid since the CShip started, He was excellent in every match . Scored Four points yesterday from Midfield- he is a powerhouse . Just a pity they have a habit of giving Man of the Match to the winning side. There was a case for JOINT Man of the Match there yesterday , — Walsh gave an exhibition .
I think everyone was expecting Kerry to annihilate Galway yesterday BUT Galway were brilliant. They might have been second best but that only happened when things began to unravel near the end. They have the tools and talent and have obviously bonded well that it is now only a matter of working on the finer points of the game before they start collecting several Sam’s over the coming years. As a Dub, I cannot help but admire the resilience of that Kerry team and even though they beat Galway and Dublin, in the game of the year, given their ‘resources’, I expected them to be more convincing against both Congratulations to both Kerry and Galway on a brilliant game and the real winners in the future will be the fans. I hope the Ulster teams will learn from these displays, get rid of ‘ possession football’ and incorporate the hidden skills they obviously have.
@Barrycelona: an Ulster team won Sam just 11 months ago or did that slip your mind
@Barrycelona: it might have Been because I was hungover but I thought the game was crap. Virtually no atmosphere for long periods and possession seemed to be what we were watching for the most part. Soft fouls as well are terrible to watch. I hate to back up hurling snobs but it’s such a better game to watch now.
Walsh was clear MOTM match IMO – even better than brilliant Clifford
Mayo next year me thinks?
Barrycelona Kerry had 14 men in their own half for much of the game it appears that they have adopted the Ulster way. One very bad Refereeing decision yesterday at a vital time in the game.
@Kevin Byrne: 2 very bad decisions in quick succession. Both teams scored from the frees so evened out.
A dour affair, we were all spoiled by the silky skills of the Dublin six-in-a-row team. Maybe next year.
@Jim O’Sullivan: are ya catching much lately Jim. Great time for fishing.
Rule is 4 steps – 7 or 8 by Walsh for one great point that should have been disallowed